I like beautiful, romantic things, and have an almost extreme and idealized sense of perfectionism regarding the films I make, and strive to achieve the kind of poeticism found in traditional Chinese paintings.

Action film trends go in cycles. Without innovation, things will become clichéd. From my experience, it is not sufficient that action choreography be innovative, for the soul of a film lies in the script.

Having gone though different cycles within the film business, I have attempted different subject matters and filming styles. I like being unconventional, and always attempt to push the envelope in the areas of trends and technology. Letting my creativity run wild like stallions in the wide open field is the highest level I wish to reach in my artistic endeavours.

Biography

Tony Ching Siu-tung was born in Hong Kong in 1953, the son of famed director Cheng Kang. He grew up on film sets and never paid much attention to his studies. When he was around seven or eight, his father sent him to The Eastern Drama Academy, operated by veteran actor Tang Ti, to learn Peking opera and the Northern style of martial arts. After seven years he began working as a martial arts stuntman and body double on film sets. In the 1970s, he was promoted to the position of martial arts coordinator, and followed Anthony Leung (aka Pasan Leung) to work at Commercial Television as assistant martial arts coordinator. He became the chief martial arts coordinator on the TV series Meteor, Butterfly, Sword (1978). At the invitation of Siu Sang, he joined Rediffusion TV and was involved with series like The Spirit of the Sword (1978), The Roving Swordsman (1979), Reincarnated (1979), It Takes a Thief (1979), Reincarnated II (1979), Dynasty (1980) and Dynasty II (1980). He also appeared in front of the camera, playing the leading role in the movies Monkey Kung Fu (1979) and The Master Strikes (1980) as well as acting as martial arts coordinator.

Ching’s style of action choreography is known for its kinetic power, visual flair and lively energy. In 1980, he served as the martial arts coordinator on the feature film, The Sword, and made his directorial debut with Duel to the Death (1982), on which he was also the martial arts coordinator. In 1983 he was recruited by TVB and served as the martial arts coordinator on various series, including Legend of the Condor Heroes (1983), The Return of the Condor Heroes (1983), The Duke of Mount Deer (1984), The New Adventures of Chor Lau Heung (1984), The Return of Luk Siu Fung (1986), The New Heaven Sword and The Dragon Sabre (1986).

His 1986 feature Witch From Nepal, for which he was also the martial arts coordinator, won Best Action Choreography at the 6th Hong Kong Film Awards and the Kodak Special Award. His career reached a high point with A Chinese Ghost Story (1987), which received the Best Film Award at the Fantasporto Porto Film Festival in Portugal, the Best Director Award at Fantafestival Rome in Italy and the Special Jury Award at Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival in France.

His directorial output include A Chinese Ghost Story II (1990), A Terra-Cotta Warrior (1990), Swordsman II (1993), The East is Red (1993, Co-Director: Raymond Lee), The Executioner (1993, Co-Director: Johnnie To), Seven (1994), Dr Wai in the Scripture of No Words (1994), Conman in Tokyo (2000), Naked Weapon (2002), An Empress and the Warriors (2008), The Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011).

He also served as action choreographer on numerous films, including The Killer (1989),Dragon Inn (1992), Royal Tramp (1992), Royal Tramp II (1992), City Hunter (1993), The Heroic Trio (1993), Love on Delivery (1994), My School Mate, the Barbarian (2001), Hero (2002), House of Flying Daggers (2004), Curse of the Golden Flower (2006), The Warlords (2007), Kung Fu Dunk (2008) and Future X-Cops (2010).

At the invitation of Zhang Yimou, he acted as the chief action choreographer at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in 2008.